In the military, a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) is stressful enough. You have pack-outs, inspections, and travel logistics. But for couples who are struggling, a PCS presents a massive dilemma:
Do we try to hold it together until we get to the new base?
Our advice? Absolutely not.
Leaving Okinawa without finalizing your divorce is one of the biggest financial and logistical mistakes you can make. Here is why the “we’ll deal with it later” approach backfires.
1. You Lose the “Okinawa Advantage” Right now, you have access to one of the fastest, most affordable divorce systems in the world for mutual consent cases. As soon as you step on that plane and your residency shifts back to the US, you lose that access.
2. The “Residency Limbo” Trap If you move to a new base in Texas, California, or Virginia, you generally cannot file for divorce immediately. Most states require you to live there for 6 months to a year before you can file. That means you are legally stuck married—unable to separate your finances or move on—for months after you arrive.
3. It Costs Twice as Much in the US Hiring a lawyer in the US for a standard divorce often starts at $3,000 – $5,000 just for a retainer. In Okinawa, our flat-rate service handles everything for a fraction of that cost.
Beat the Pack-Out Date If you have orders in hand, the clock is ticking. We specialize in helping service members expedite the process before they PCS. If you and your spouse are in agreement, we can often prepare your documents, get your court date, and finalize the divorce before you check out of housing.
Leave your baggage here. Start your next duty station single, free, and focused on the mission—not on a messy court battle back home.